ASTM_D_4437_-_D_4437M_-_16_2018.pdf

Designation:D4437/D4437M16(Reapproved 2018)Standard Practice forNondestructive Testing(NDT)for Determining the Integrityof Seams Used in Joining Flexible Polymeric SheetGeomembranes1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4437/D4437M;the number immediately following the designation indicates theyear of original adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of lastreapproval.A superscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This practice is intended for use as a summary ofnondestructive quality control test methods for determining theintegrity of seams used in the joining of flexible sheet materialsin a geotechnical application.This practice outlines the testprocedures available for determining the quality of bondedseams.Any one or combination of the test methods outlined inthis practice can be incorporated into a project specification forquality control.These test methods are applicable to manufac-tured flexible polymeric membrane linings that are scrimreinforced or nonreinforced.This practice is not applicable todestructive testing.For destructive test methods,look at otherASTM standards and practices.1.2 The types of seams covered by this practice include thefollowing:thermally bonded seams,hot air,hot wedge(orknife),extrusion,solvent-bonded seams,bodied solvent-bonded seams,adhesive-bonded or cemented seams,tapedseams,and waterproofed sewn seams.1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound unitsare to be regarded separately as standard.The values stated ineach system may not be exact equivalents;therefore,eachsystem shall be used independently of the other.Combiningvalues from the two systems may result in nonconformancewith the standard.1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety,health,and environmental practices and deter-mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-ization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recom-mendations issued by the World Trade Organization TechnicalBarriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D5641/D5641M Practice for Geomembrane Seam Evalua-tion by Vacuum ChamberD5820 Practice for Pressurized Air Channel Evaluation ofDual Seamed GeomembranesD6365 Practice for the Nondestructive Testing of Geomem-brane Seams using the Spark TestD7006 Practice for Ultrasonic Testing of GeomembranesD7177/D7177M Specification forAir Channel Evaluation ofPolyvinyl Chloride(PVC)Dual Track Seamed Geomem-branes3.Significance and Use3.1 The use of geomembranes as barrier materials to restrictliquid migration from one location to another in soil and rock,and the large number of seam methods and types used injoining these geomembrane sheets,has created a need forstandard tests by which the various seams can be compared andthe quality of the seam systems can be nondestructivelyevaluated.This practice is intended to meet such a need.3.2 The geomembrane sheet material shall be formulatedfrom the appropriate polymers and compounding ingredients toform a plastic or elastomer sheet material that meets allspecified requirements for the end use of the product.The sheetmaterial(reinforced or nonreinforced)shall be capable of beingbonded to itself by one of the methods described in 1.2,inaccordance with the sheet manufacturers recommendationsand instructions.4.Nondestructive Test Methods4.1 For all test methods listed below,any and all flaws inseam construction that are detected under a given test proce-dure shall be repaired.All nondestructive test methods listedare not necessarily applicable to all polymeric geomembranematerials.1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on Geosyn-thetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.10 on Geomembranes.Current edition approved Feb.1,2018.Published February 2018.Originallyapproved in 1984.Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D4437/D4437M 16.DOI:10.1520/D4437_D4437M-16R18.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United StatesThis international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.1 4.2 Air Lance TestIn